EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. The Maryland EBT Card is called the Independence Card. It is like a bank debit card that holds the Food Stamp and/or Cash benefits that are deposited into your EBT account each month. Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Independence Card. You can use your Independence Card at any store or ATM, in the United States, Guam and the Virgin Islands, displaying the Quest logo.

The Independence card is a safe and easy way to get and use your benefits. It’s safe - you can’t use your card without a PIN. And it’s easy - you can use it anywhere you see the Quest® logo, and every time you use your card, you get a receipt showing the amount of benefits left in your account.

You can use your card at the grocery store to spend your benefits and some grocery stores will give you cash back with your purchase. Before you begin your shopping, make sure that the store accepts the EBT Card and you know your 4 digit PIN.

You should know your balance before shopping. There are three ways to check your balance…

Check your last grocery store receipt.

Use this Website - you can set-up a User ID and Password to check your account balance and also view transaction history.

You can call the Customer Service Call Center. Your balance is provided as soon as you enter your card number.

If your card is lost or stolen, call the Customer Service Call Center immediately to prevent anyone from using your benefits.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Customer Service Call Center
1-800-997-2222
(TTY) – 1-800-925-4434

Call 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week if:

You just received your card in the mail. You will need to activate your card and select a PIN to begin using your benefits.

If your card is lost or stolen, call the Customer Service Call center immediately to prevent anyone from using your benefits.

What should I know about my Food Stamp account?

It does not cost you anything to use the Independence Card for Food Stamps.

You do not ever get cash back when you use your Food Stamp benefits.

You can buy the following items with your Independence card: Any food to be eaten at home by people, including baby food, non-alcoholic beverages, and seasonings.
Seeds and plants to grow food for your own family’s consumption.

Ongoing monthly benefits will be available from the 6th through the 15th day of each month depending on the first letter of your last name. See the link to Issuance Schedules.

You can use your Independence Card even if your Food Stamp case is closed as long as you have benefits left in your account.

Your benefits will be removed from your account if there has not been any financial activity (such as a food stamp purchase) on your account in the past 90 days. You will need to contact your local Maryland Department of Social Services office to have your benefits re-issued.

What should I know about my Cash account?

You can buy non-grocery items with your Cash benefits, such as cleaning products, pet food, and paper products.

Some grocery stores will let you get cash from your cash account.

You can get your Cash benefits from any ATM displaying the Quest logo.

Ongoing monthly benefits will be available from the 2nd through the 4th day of each month depending on the first letter of your last name. See the link to Issuance Schedules.

You can use your Independence Card even if your Cash case is closed as long as you have benefits left in your account.

Your benefits will be removed from your account if there has not been any financial activity (such as a cash purchase) on your account in the past 90 days. You will need to contact your local Maryland Department of Social Services office to have your benefits re-issued.

If you would like your cash benefits deposited directly into your bank account, contact your local EBT Office.

What is a PIN?

PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. You must have a 4-digit PIN to use your Independence Card.

Call the Customer Service Call Center to select a PIN to begin using your Independence Card. You will need your:
- 16 digit card number from the front of your Independence Card
- Social Security Number (last 4 digits only).
- Birth Date
- If you are an Authorized Representative, you will enter your 16 digit card number but will use the casehead’s last 4 digits of the SSN and date of birth. You do not enter your SSN or birth date.

Choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember, but hard for someone else to guess or figure out if you lose your card

Do not write your PIN on anything you carry with you like your wallet or purse in case it is lost or stolen.

If you forget or want to change your PIN, you must call the Customer Service Call center and follow the automated PIN selection/change instructions.

When entering your PIN to make a purchase or withdraw money from an ATM, be sure no one else can see what number you are entering. If someone else learns your PIN and uses your card, your benefits will not be replaced.

If you think someone else has learned your PIN, call the Customer Service Call Center immediately to choose a new PIN.

How do I select my PIN?

You must always call the Customer Service Call Center at 1-800-997-2222 and follow the prompts to select or change your PIN.

If the EBT case is in your name, or if you are an authorized representative with access to someone else’s Food Stamp and/or Cash benefits, you will need the following information to select your Personal Identification Number (PIN):

To select your new PIN, you will need your:

Card number (16 digits on the front of your card).

Last four digits of the Social Security number for the person whose name is on the case. If this person does not have a Social Security number enter four zero’s.

Date of birth for the person whose name is on the case.

How do I use my Independence Card at the store?

Make sure you have selected your PIN and remember it before going shopping.

Your Independence card can be used at stores that display the Quest logo. If you do not see the Quest logo, ask at the customer service desk if the store accepts the EBT card.

Go shopping as normal.

At the checkout lane, slide your own card or give your card to the clerk depending on the store. The clerk enters your transaction amount. The clerk should not leave the area with your card.

You will need to enter your 4 digit PIN.

Check the amount that shows in the machine window to make sure it is correct.

Make sure the amount on the receipt is the same as the amount you spent. If the receipt is wrong, tell the clerk right away. Keep the receipt as a record of your current balance.

How do I use my card at the ATM?

Insert your card into the ATM.

Enter your PIN.

Press the button for WITHDRAWAL.

Press the button for CHECKING.

Enter the dollar amount.

If the ATM screen tells you that a surcharge will be charged and you do not want to pay it, cancel the transaction by pressing the CANCEL button and try another ATM.

Press the button for CORRECT to go on if the amount is right, or CANCEL to stop if the amount is wrong.

How do I protect my Independence Card?

If your Independence Card is lost or stolen call the Customer Service Call center immediately. Your benefits will be protected as soon as you report it lost or stolen and a new card with your remaining benefits will be issued to you.

When entering your PIN to make a purchase, be sure no one else can see what number you are entering. If someone else learns your PIN and uses your card and PIN to use your benefits, your benefits will not be replaced.

If you think someone else has learned your PIN, call the Customer Service Call Center immediately to select a new PIN.

Keep your card away from electronic equipment (like TVs and microwaves) and magnets and out of the sun.

Misuse of your Food Stamp benefits is a violation of State and Federal laws.